Lexus GS450h 2009 Owner's Manual

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Rear view monitor system
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by displaying an image of
the view behind the vehicle while reversing. The image is displayed in
reverse on the screen. This allows the image to appear in the same manner
as that of the rear view mirror.
Rear view image is displayed
when the shift lever is in “R”.
If you move the lever out of “R”,
the screen returns to the previ-
ous one.
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■Displayed area
■Rear view monitor system cameraThe area covered by the camera is limited.
Objects which are close to either corner of
the bumper or under the bumper cannot be
seen on the screen.
The area displayed on the screen may vary
according to vehicle orientation or road con-
ditions.
Corners of bumper
In the following cases, it may be difficult to
see the images on the screen, even when the
system is functioning correctly.
• In the dark (e.g. at night).
• If the temperature near the lens is
extremely high or low.
• If water droplets get on the camera, or when humidity is high (e.g. when it rains).
• If foreign matter (e.g. snow or mud) get
on the camera lens.
• If the sun or headlights are shining directly into the camera lens.
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■Smear effect
CAUTION
■When using the rear view monitor system
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in death or
serious injuries.
●Never depend solely on the monitor system when reversing.
●Always check visually and with the mirrors to confirm your intended path is clear.
●Depicted distances between objects and flat surfaces differ from actual dis-
tances.
●Do not use the system if the trunk is open.
■Conditions which may affect the rear view monitor system
●If the back of the vehicle is hit, the camera’s position and mounting angle may
change. Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Rapid temperature changes, such as when hot water is poured on the vehicle in
cold weather, may cause the system to function abnormally.
●If the camera lens is dirty, it cannot transmit a clear image. Rinse with water and
wipe with a soft cloth. If extremely dirty, wash with a mild cleanser and rinse.
●The displayed image may be darker and moving images may be slightly distorted
when the system is cold.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body) is picked up by
the camera, a smear effect* peculiar to the
camera may occur.
*: Smear effect—A phenomenon that occurswhen a bright light (for example, sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body) is picked up
by the camera; when transmitted by the
camera, the light source appears to have a
vertical streak above and below it.
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AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System)
AVS controls the suspension according to the road and driving conditions.
Selecting an optimum driving mode allows good vehicle posture and steer-
ing wheel operation in conjunction with VGRS, EPS and active stabilizer
suspension system (if equipped).
Sports mode
For winding mountain road driv-
ing or high speed driving.
Normal mode
For normal driving.
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Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active stabilizer suspensi on system (if equipped)
Reduces sway when cornering according to steering wheel movement
and the selected suspension damping mode, in order to maintain a stable
vehicle posture.
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When the Enhanced VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are
operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
starting on an incline, or if the rear
wheels spin, the slip indicator light
flashes to indicate that the
Enhanced VSC/TRAC/hill-start
assist control systems have been
engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that Enhanced VSC is
operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system is operating.
The slip indicator light flashes as
well when ABS is operating.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 221
■VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, Enhanced VSC, TRAC, hill-start
assist control, VGRS and EPS systems.
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling the brakes, hybrid output, and the movement of the
front wheels.
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To disable TRAC and/or Enhanced VSCIf the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and Enhanced VSC
may reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn
the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■ Turning off TRAC only
Quickly push and release the but-
ton to turn off TRAC.
The message “TRAC OFF”
appears on the multi-information
display.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
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■Turning off both TRAC and Enhanced VSC
Push and hold the button for more
than 3 seconds while the vehicle is
stopped to turn off TRAC and
Enhanced VSC.
The slip off indicator light should
come on and the message “TRAC
OFF” appears on the multi-infor-
mation display.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
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■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and Enhanced VSC
Turning the “POWER” switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and Enhanced VSC
systems will automatically re-enable them.
■Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when the vehi-
cle speed increases.
■Automatic TRAC and Enhanced VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and Enhanced VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when the vehicle speed increases.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, Enhanced VSC, TRAC,
hill-start assist control and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid system is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat-
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
This system comes into operation under the following conditions after the brake
pedal has been depressed and the vehicle has come to a stop:
●The shift lever is in the “D” or “S”.
●The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backwards.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
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■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The system should return to normal
about 10 minutes.
■VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the hybrid system is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on a wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
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